This web site was created within Arctic Ocean Diversity (ArcOD) project and was financially supported by Polish Ministry of Science (project number: DPN/AD/1881/09 and 396/N-EOL-ENC/2009/0)

Arctic Polychaeta

Polychaetes are found in almost every marine habitat, from all depths, also in pelagic zone. Rarely are found in fresh water and never in terrestrial ecosystems. Most of them live buried in sediments or under rocks. Some dig continuously through the sediment, while other build permanent burrows or tubes. They vary largely in size (from millimeters to meters) and form. Mobile forms have well-developed eyes and other sensory appendages, often strong jaws. Sessile forms collect food from surrounding surface or from water column.

Polychaetes often dominate in marine ecosystems and play considerable and diverse roles in ecosystems functioning.

This web presents information on polychaetes occurring in Svalbard waters.